Laminate Transitions Options - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

TechGuy9707 · 05-19-2008, 06:20 PM

I have asked to come up with options to the standard transitions for a laminate install.

Existing is a mix of carpet, laminate and lino. Subfloor is concrete slab (on ground/ NoCal.) Plan is to demo the carpet, pad and existing laminate and replace with new laminate (Pergo or Wilsonart). The install is in the entry (6 x12) and flows into the great room (17 x 20) and down the hallway (4x15). Transitions will join with lino/vinyl in most instances. There are 9 interior transitions and a fireplace to work with. 5 of the transitions are to lino or vinyl, two are lam-lam doorway (existing and staying), 1 transition to an exterior entry door and another to a sliding door.

The homeowner is concerned about having using the expensive, but fragile, pergo transitions. Previous transitions were installed with screws and plastic anchors into the concrete and suffered damage from the kids and use.

Known options include:
Pergo (or Wilsonart) transitions (expensive but match, fragile?)
Purchase "generic" laminate transitions (lower cost, match?, fragile?)
Any suggestions...

MinConst · 05-19-2008, 06:40 PM

I use the transitions that match except the 1/4 round. I find them expensive but the face that they match is a no brainier.
You could fabricate some oak to work and stain it to match the Lam. Allot of work and you labor + the wood might end up to be more or about the same as the factory transitions.

PrecisionFloors · 05-20-2008, 09:05 AM

I use oak, or maple hard wood transitions whenever possible. I can almost always stain to match and in the long run its actually cheaper than laminate transitions. Make sure to put at least two coats of polyurethane on them and they will outlast laminate stuff by quite a bit.

nywoodwizard · 05-20-2008, 10:45 AM

DIY'er: